Men are also sexually assaulted at the workplace: Indian men resorting to helpline every day to report abuse and harassment

New Delhi: A 19-year-old broke down while he was narrating his story to a helpline recently. He said that he was gang-raped, filmed nude, thrashed with belts and objects were inserted into his private parts. He also said that they urinated on him.

He said that, he in spite of being from an influential political family has no legal remedy. Counsellors also faced a tough time as Indian rape laws did not recognize a man as a victim.

Counsellors said that he being an adult could not seek help under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Counsellor also claimed that this is not a single case, they receives calls from hundreds of men across the country alleging that they were harassed, raped and victimized by women.
Helpline for men in distress 8882-498-498 which is being run by 40 NGOs across states claimed that they have received 37,000 calls since it was launched a year ago.

Counsellors said that most of the calls are received from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. They said that every day helpline center receives calls of the men who are framed in the fake cases of molestation, attempt to rape by husband’s family, dowry etc. They added that they also receive calls from men who claim that they have been sexually assaulted at the workplace.